15 years ago, shopping was fun. I worked in downtown Seattle, and on my lunch breaks, I walked through Banana Republic, Anne Taylor, and Nordstrom. I loved touching the fabrics and being among all the pretty things. It was tricky finding tops that were long enough, but I could also find something. I had a cute wardrobe, but I always wished the tops could be an inch longer. Still, they were cute and I were comfortable. 

Shopping just isn't fun anymore. Nothing looks good. Nothing feels good. When costs rose and brands decided to go cheap on quality, the magic disappeared. It's hard to find beauty in these brands now. Of course, I'm not shopping in person anymore; I'm scrolling online. But nothing catches my eye; it all looks the same and it all looks blah. Kinda like modern cars. No design is the new design. 

I'm working on more tops for Boxjump and trying to hold that memory of what fun it was to touch the fabrics at Banana Republic. I remember those tops so fondly. It feels like the Encanto candle; the memory is getting distant and it seems like the magic of clothing is running out. I want to rekindle it in myself and for others. Touching nice fabrics was a joy. Wearing flattering designs was a joy. Feeling comfortable and pretty was a joy. 

With everything getting so cheap and poorly made we're swimming in a pool of compromises and good-enoughs. But I hope we can remember that era of well-made, pretty clothes. We felt something good when we we got dressed, and that little spark was important.